A Look At Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia

You have noticed something about your child. Maybe numbers seem unusually hard for them to grasp. Or perhaps coordination tasks like writing, tying shoelaces, or riding a bike feel like a daily struggle.

If you are wondering whether this is just a phase or something more, you are not alone. Many parents have the same question. The good news is that there are clear steps you can take to understand what is happening and to make school and home life easier for your child.

What Are Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia?

Dyscalculia is sometimes called maths dyslexia, though that is not quite accurate. It is a specific learning difference that affects how the brain understands and works with numbers.

Children with dyscalculia might:

• Find it very hard to remember number facts like times tables

• Struggle with basic sums or mental maths

• Get mixed up with maths symbols (+, –, ×, ÷)

• Have trouble with time, money, or estimating amounts

About 1 in 16 children in the UK (around 6%) are thought to have dyscalculia. Which makes it very likely that each classroom will include 1-2 children with it. Dyscalculia often overlaps with ADHD, dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, so if your child has one it is worth checking for the other too.

Dyspraxia (also called Developmental Coordination Disorder or DCD) is about movement and coordination. Children with dyspraxia might:

• Have messy or very slow handwriting

• Struggle with buttons, scissors, or shoelaces

• Trip, bump into things, or drop objects a lot

• Find it hard to plan or organise tasks step by step

Around 1 in 20 children (about 5%) are affected by dyspraxia. Many go undiagnosed, especially if their difficulties are mild. Dyspraxia can also occur alongside dyslexia or ADHD, which can make handwriting and organisation even harder.

Famous People with Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia

It helps to know that having a learning difference does not have to hold your child back. Many well-known and successful people have spoken openly about having similar challenges.

• Daniel Radcliffe (the actor who played Harry Potter) has dyspraxia and has said that he struggled with handwriting and coordination as a child, but found creative outlets that helped him thrive.

• Florence Welch (singer of Florence + The Machine) has dyspraxia and has shared that she found school difficult but discovered confidence through music.

• Mary Tyler Moore (award-winning actress) had dyscalculia and often spoke about how numbers were always a challenge for her, yet she built a hugely successful career.

• Hans Christian Andersen, the famous author of fairy tales, is thought to have had dyscalculia but used his creativity to become one of the most celebrated writers in history.

Stories like these remind us that your child’s learning difference does not define their future. With the right understanding and support, they can still do amazing things.

Signs to Look Out For

You know your child best. If you have noticed some of these signs and they are not just occasional, it might be worth looking closer:

• Numbers: still counting on fingers long after classmates have stopped, very slow with sums, anxious about maths homework

• Movement: avoids sports or PE, struggles with handwriting or craft activities, often seems clumsy

• Organisation: loses things, forgets multi-step instructions, gets stuck starting tasks

• Emotions: frustration, tears over homework, refusing to join in certain activities

Spotting a pattern over time is key. One bad maths lesson does not mean dyscalculia.

Supporting Your Child

Support makes all the difference. When children get the right strategies and encouragement, they often begin to feel calmer and more confident.

At home you can:

• Use games, puzzles, and hands-on tools for maths

• Break tasks into smaller, easier steps

• Practise motor skills through play such as catch, Lego, or drawing

• Celebrate effort, not just results, to build confidence

And remember, it is not just about skills but about feelings. Learning differences can make school life frustrating, so lots of reassurance, patience, and praise go a long way.

Why This Does Not Have to Be a Barrier

It can be worrying to think your child might have dyscalculia or dyspraxia, but these differences do not have to be a barrier to success. With the right support in school and at home, children can grow in confidence and achieve their potential.

Think of it this way: your child’s brain works differently, not wrongly. They may need more practice, different techniques, or extra time, but that is simply part of how they learn. Early support means they can avoid frustration and start building skills and resilience now.

Many parents find that once the right strategies are in place, they begin to see their child relax, enjoy learning, and develop their talents. Some children with learning differences go on to have careers in science, technology, music, design, or business and their unique way of thinking becomes their strength.

In Conclusion

Finding out your child may have dyscalculia or dyspraxia can feel daunting at first, but it can also be the start of something empowering. Understanding how they learn is a chance to give them the right tools, build their confidence, and help them discover where they shine. There are now many excellent books and research studies that can help you as a parent make sense of these differences, along with thriving online forums where other parents share their experiences and tips. Your child’s school should also be able to signpost you to helpful resources, local support groups, or workshops that can make a real difference. The journey might look a little different, but it can still be full of achievement, pride, and joy for both you and your child.

If this is an area of interest, also have a look back at one of my previous blogs titled '‘What is a SpLD (Specific Learning Difficulty).”